The Republican is running against Democratic nominee Kevin Schreiber and Green Party candidate Bill Swartz to represent York and neighboring communities.

If Republican Bryan Tate were to win the 95th state House race, he would become the third openly gay lawmaker in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

"It's less and less important to people what someone's sexual orientation is," Tate said. "...People appreciate active leadership and involvement and are less worried about someone's personal life."

Tate is running to represent York city and some surrounding communities in the state House, against Democratic nominee Kevin Schreiber and Green Party candidate Bill Swartz. All three have expressed support for gay marriage. The special election will take place in May.

Denis Dison, a spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, said there are less than 100 openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender lawmakers in state legislative bodies. Most of them are Democrats.

Dison said there are two openly gay Republican state lawmakers in the country, including one in Pennsylvania.

State Rep. Mike Fleck, a Republican who represents parts of Blair, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, was first elected in 2006, and in December said he was openly gay.

Brian Sims, a Democrat from Philadelphia, was the first openly gay state lawmaker elected in Pennsylvania. He was sworn-in in office in January.

"I'm very happy that we have openly gay legislators. Pennsylvania has been behind that curve for many years," said Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania.

Dison said Republican leaders have traditionally been less supportive of gay rights issues than Democratic leaders, but there have been changes.

"You're seeing more progress in the Republican Party in the last five years, than ... in their previous existence. And it's been heartening to see," said Dison.

Tate, the former chief of staff for former U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, is vice president of philanthropy at the York County Community Foundation. Members of the York County Republican Committee unanimously approved Tate in January as their candidate for the special election.

Tate said he's seen different signs that people have become more accepting.

In a Franklin & Marshall College Poll released in February, 52 percent of respondents said they favored allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally.

"This, in 20 years, is not going to be an issue. The demographics are remarkable on this, with huge percentages of people from 18 to 35 in support of it," said G. Terry Madonna, a pollster with the college in Lancaster.

The Pennsylvania legislature's LGBT Equality Caucus more than doubled this session, with 58 members, according to Equality Pennsylvania.

"Historically, the Republican Party has been a party of freedom for all people. ...So I don't think it should be of any surprise that new Republican members have joined the LGBT caucus," Tate said.

95th state House

The special election to replace former state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester Township, is in conjunction with the May 21 primary.

The district includes York, West York, North York, Spring Garden Township and part of West Manchester Township.

--- Kevin Schreiber, the Democratic nominee, has described educational fairness, property taxes, infrastructure and environmental issues as challenges for the state he'd focus on as a lawmaker.

He's highlighted his willingness to work across the aisle, and his work as York city's director of economic and community development.

"We've ... established novel programs to help new businesses open and keep small business chugging forward," Schreiber, 32, said during a forum organized by the York County Democratic Party in January.

He said he's worked for equal rights as a city official, would join the LGBT Equality Caucus if elected to the state House, and would also support legalizing gay marriage.

Bill Swartz (Submitted)

"I think it's the right thing to do, and I think it's long overdue," he said.

He lives in York with his wife, Jen.

--- Bill Swartz, president of Sherman Property Management Inc. and co-developer of the Codo apartments, has been gathering signatures to be the Green Party candidate.

"I really care about this community as a business person, as a taxpayer and as a citizen," Swartz, 43, said after announcing his candidacy.

He is endorsed by the Green Party of Pennsylvania. He supports a single payer healthcare system for Pennsylvania and a ban on hydraulic fracturing.

He supports legalizing gay marriage.

"I think the more committed relationships we have in this world, the better," Swartz said, adding that he would join any organization that promotes "the freedom of individuals to marry who they wish."

He lives with his wife, Kelly, in Spring Garden Township.

--- Bryan Tate, the Republican nominee, has described education reform as his top priority, along with local tax reform.

"It's important to figure out how we can create new models for providing quality education in urban districts throughout Pennsylvania," Tate said.

When he announced his candidacy, he highlighted his commitment and service to the community.

Tate said he supports marriage equality. He also praised the recent increase in membership of LGBT Equality Caucus, and said he expects to see more lawmakers join in the future.